The Game: Towson Tigers (0-0) at La Salle Explorers (0-0)
When: Thursday, August 17 – 6:00 p.m.
Where: McCarthy Stadium – Philadelphia, Pa.
Broadcast: Live stats at GoExplorers.com
Series: La Salle leads 5-0

TOWSON, Md. – Towson women's soccer will kick-off the 2023 season on the road against La Salle on Thursday night. The Tigers are coming off a historic 2022 campaign that saw the Tigers reach the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Semifinals for the first time in program history. Towson returns all 11 starters from last year's squad that won 12 game, second most in a single season in program history.

The game will stream on ESPN+ and live stats will be available at GoExplorers.com.

This will be the sixth all time meeting between the two schools with La Salle leading the all-time series 5-0. Last season, the Explorers defeated the Tigers 3-1 at Tiger Field.

HISTORIC 2022 SEASON:
The Tigers are looking to build off a solid 2022 campaign that saw Towson pick up their first CAA Tournament win in program history, falling to eventual conference champion Hofstra in the semifinals.
Towson boasted the top defense in the CAA last year allowing just 0.55 goals against with 11 shutouts.

Towson also boasted their most wins since 2011 and the second most in program history.

BRICK WALL DEFENSE:
Melendez was a key part of a stalwart defense for the Tigers that allowed just 11 goals all season and seven in conference play. The senior from Virginia was named CAA Goalkeeper of the Year for her efforts that also landed her on the All-CAA First Team.

The Tigers will return all four starting defenders in seniors Sydney Cradle and Maja Hansson, graduate student Jacey Miller and sophomore Reese Borden. Hansson was named All-CAA Second Team in 2022 with Cradle and Borden recording goals from the backline.

RECORD WATCH:
Several Tigers are working their way up the record books with the chance to become the program leader in several career categories. Nia Christopher is currently tied for first place in game winning goals with 10 and is second in career goals (27), just three shy of tying Emily Banes with 30.

Christopher also has 61 career points, good for fifth place all-time and is ninth in shots with 144. The Bermuda native is behind current teammate Phoebe Canoles in all-time shots, with Canoles recording 151 shots.

Goalkeeper Riley Melendez is second in career shutouts with 19 and is chasing hall of famer Tina Steck in first with 28. Melendez is also top ten in saves (9^th, 171), just 15 back of Susie Blanco in eighth place.

NEWCOMERS:
Towson will have newcomers suit up in the black and gold for the 2023 season, including West Virginia and Maryland transfer Julie Lynch. Lynch played in 16 games with 13 starts last season finishing second on the team in assists (3) and scored one goal from the midfield.

Paelyn Bayer, Maddy Hall, Sophie Thibeault, Payton Todd, Brooke Rienecker and Teagan Gardner will be making their collegiate debuts for the Tigers. Hall, Thibeault and Todd have local ties having played in the Baltimore metro area.

WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE:
The newly renamed Coastal Athletic Association welcomed Campbell University, the 14^th program into the league, on July 1. The Camels come to the CAA from the Big South Conference after an 11-3-4 season in 2022 where they fell to Gardner-Webb in the semifinals of the Big South Tournament and a regular season title.

COASTAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION OUTLOOK:
The Tigers were one of six schools to pick up a first-place vote. In addition, seniors Nia Christopher and Riley Melendez earned Preseason All-Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) honors, as voted on by the coaches.

Monmouth was voted to win the league by the league's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own team. The Hawks picked up six first-place votes and 124 total points, just edging out Northeastern with one first-place vote and 123 points.

Reigning CAA champion Hofstra picked up three first-place votes in third place, just ahead of the Tigers. Drexel, Elon and CAA newcomer Campbell were picked five through seven with the Dragons and Camels earning a first-place vote. William & Mary, UNCW, Stony Brook, Charleston, Delaware and Hampton rounded out the 13-team field.

Christopher and Melendez each picked up preseason All-CAA honors. Both Christopher and Melendez were named All-CAA First Team last season with Melendez being named CAA Goalkeeper of the Year. Classmate Jasmine Hamid was named Honorable Mention All-CAA after finishing third on the team in goals in 2022.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT:
La Salle comes into the 2023 season opener after an 8-8-2, 3-6-1 A10 season a year ago. The Explorers finished the season 4-4 at home a 4-4-2 on the road. La Salle returns four of their top five goal scorers from last year, including Haley Gschrey who had four goals and two assists for 10 points, all second most on the team in 2022. The Explorers will have a new goalkeeper in 2023 as both Explorers who saw time in 2022 are no longer on the team.

UP NEXT:
Towson will make their 2023 home debut against Howard on Sunday, August 20. Kick-off with the Bison is set for 6 p.m. and will air on FloFC.